An NFL locker room is jammed with players who come from tough neighborhoods.

Growing up on the mean streets is about survival.

Weston Richburg is a highly regarded center who soon will complete his journey to the NFL that began on a farm in the Texas Panhandle.

Growing up on a farm is about work.

"When I was younger, I remember thinking I'd rather sleep in than get up early to take care of animals," Richburg said. "But that was a very valuable experience for me. Looking back on it now, I loved it. It taught me so many lessons. I wouldn't change it for a second."

Richburg, who has an animal science degree from Colorado State, was driving his Chevy truck last week from Glendale, Ariz., where he visited with the NFL Cardinals, to his hometown of Bushland, Texas.

How many college prospects projected to be drafted in the first or second round drive home from their visit with an NFL team? Then again, there is something special about Bushland. Its population has remained steady at 130, yet it has produced not only Richburg but another NFL prospect from CSU: tight end Crockett Gillmore.

It's been a heady ride for Richburg, who was lightly recruited out of his small high school, then quietly made 50 consecutive starts in four seasons at CSU. From these humble roots, Richburg suddenly is dealing with the considerable attention that is bestowed upon arguably the No. 1-rated center available in the burgeoning industry that is the NFL draft.

"Can he become one of the top two or three centers in the league in two or three years? That's the goal," said LeCharles Bentley, a former Pro Bowl center who has trained Richburg this offseason in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"He's going to have a long career"

An NFL player arrives at his team's headquarters around 7 a.m. four days a week, six months a year, to watch film, attend meetings, lift weights, do conditioning and practice football.

That's not work. Work is getting up at 6 a.m. seven days a week, 365 days a year, from the age of kindergarten to feed the cows and pigs, tend to the pens, and whatever other chores Danny and Ruth might have for Weston and their two younger children. And then go to school and football practice before coming home to another round of farm chores.

The football men who have worked with Richburg say they can tell he grew up with a farm boy's work ethic.

"There is no doubt," said CSU coach Jim McElwain. "He's what I would call a gym rat. He's in the film room. He gets it."

"All he talks about is those darn pigs," Bentley said. "He's one of those guys who when you leave at night, you see his truck in the parking lot, and when you show up first thing in the morning, his truck is already there in the same spot."

There are plenty of country-strong boys growing up across the rural prairies, though, who don't become top NFL prospects. Richburg grew up to become 6-foot-3½ and between 298 and 310 pounds.

"It depends on how many burritos I eat before I weigh in," he said of his weight.

All of that mass, coupled with terrific hand and footwork technique, allows Richburg to push around the nose tackle playing across from him. Also, his athleticism and nimble feet permit his big body to get out on linebackers and cornerbacks.

"He's a physical guy who has really learned how to get his second step in the ground and move the guy across from him," McElwain said. "I think he's going to have a long career."

Manning could be new teammate

Know which NFL team could use a young center? The Broncos. They have Richburg under consideration for the No. 31 pick in the draft, which starts May 8. They also need a cornerback and middle linebacker, so difficult decisions will have to be made.

Richburg probably won't be there when the Broncos pick again in the second round with the No. 63 overall selection. Too many teams drafting in front of them — such as the New York Giants (No. 43 pick), Detroit (45), Arizona (52), Green Bay (53) and New Orleans (58) — also could use a center.

Would the Broncos trust a rookie center to team with ever-audibling quarterback Peyton Manning?

"Just thinking about that, that would be a heck of an opportunity to play with the best quarterback in the history of the NFL," Richburg said. "It would be very difficult because his expectations are so high. He's very knowledgeable. I think it would be like snapping to your head coach. If you don't do something right, I'm sure he gets after the guys. But for development as a young guy, it would be such an opportunity."

Imagine Manning, who is known for his unmatched work ethic, showing up very early in the morning at Broncos headquarters, only to have company in the offensive film room.

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